Tensions spiked in the Middle East on Tuesday as Iran extolled its `` axis of resistance '' with Syria , and the United States warned of proxy and terror activity .

Saeed Jalili , a top Iranian official meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , was cited by Syrian state media as saying he will not permit `` enemies '' to break what he called the `` axis of resistance of which Syria is an essential part . ''

`` What is taking place in Syria is not an internal issue but rather a conflict between the resistance axis on one hand and the enemies of this axis in the region and the world on the other hand , with the goal being to strike Syria 's resistant role , '' state media quoted Jalili as saying .

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , meanwhile , said from Pretoria , South Africa , that those working `` to exploit the misery of the Syrian people , either by sending in proxies or by sending in terrorist fighters , must recognize that that will not be tolerated , first and foremost by the Syrian people . ''

World powers have not intervened in Syria , but the lines in the sand have been drawn regionally and internationally .

Nations such as the United States , France , Britain and Turkey , as well as Arab League countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia , have supported Syrian rebels and the opposition .

There are also reports of Islamist cells schooled in terror tactics helping some rebels fight the al-Assad regime , and weaponry has flowed across the borders to Free Syrian Army rebels .

Syria has been supported by Iran and groups like Hezbollah , the Lebanese militant group . Syria is heavily equipped with Russian weaponry .

Jalili and Clinton spoke as violence raged in Aleppo , Damascus and its suburbs , and other hot spots . The opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said at least 170 people were killed across the nation Tuesday .

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Syrian State TV showed footage of Jalili and al-Assad meeting , the first video of the president that has surfaced since last month .

The diplomats spoke a day after the defection of Riyad Hijab , who was Syria 's prime minister for the last two months . Hijab cited the `` killing and terrorist regime '' as a reason for his defection .

He arrived in Jordan on Tuesday , according to a source with knowledge of the situation .

Clinton remarked that his departure was the latest `` in a line of such defections . ''

Jalili , secretary of Iran 's Supreme National Security Council , met with al-Assad to discuss resolving the 17-month-long civil war and rescuing several Iranians who were kidnapped over the weekend in Syria .

The Iranian diplomat called on Syrians to sit down and forge a solution to the crisis , which morphed into a nationwide uprising and civil war after government forces cracked down on peaceful protesters in March 2011 .

`` The Islamic Republic of Iran believes in a Syrian solution based on national dialogue among all Syrian groups to settle the country 's issues , and does not consider foreign approaches as useful , '' Jalili said , according to Iran 's state-run Press TV .

Syrian and Iranian news outlets have reported that 48 Shiite pilgrims from Iran were abducted Saturday . But rebels say the Iranians are military personnel , an assertion Iran denies .

Iran 's foreign ministry is working through diplomatic channels , such as the United Nations , to get the people freed . Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi , in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asking for help in freeing the people , also has expressed concern about media reports that three of the people were killed by rebels and hostage-takers have threatened to kill others .

The ministry has summoned the charge d'affaires of Switzerland to protest the abduction and urge the United States to use its influence to free the abducted Iranians . An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said Washington is responsible for the lives of the Iranians because the United States supports the rebels .

The Swiss Embassy represents U.S. interests in Iran because the United States and Iran lack diplomatic relations .

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Acting Deputy State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the United States can not confirm the identity of the Iranians but is following the situation closely and would like more information . Ventrell , speaking to reporters Tuesday , said Iran 's contention that the United States is responsible for their security `` does n't seem to make sense . ''

`` We call on anyone holding prisoners in this conflict to treat them humanely and in accordance with international law . And of course people will be held responsible if that is not followed , '' he said .

Clinton , meanwhile , said that the opposition `` is becoming increasingly coordinated and effective , '' holding territory from northern Aleppo to the Turkish border and seizing regime weaponry such as tanks .

Noting opposition strides and government setbacks , she said planners can begin talking about what happens after the regime falls , even though there 's no timeline .

`` The intensity of the fighting in Aleppo , the defections , really point out how imperative it is that we come together and work toward a good transition plan , '' she said .

`` We must figure out a way to hasten the day when the bloodshed ends , and the political transition begins . ''

Clinton was referring to the battle in Aleppo , Syria 's most populous city , where rebels and regime forces fight for control of the sprawling metropolis amid fears of a major Syrian military assault .

State TV said special forces engaged terrorist groups in Aleppo and caused big losses to them , including casualties and injuries . The LCC said at least 33 people died in Aleppo , including 10 `` field-executed '' prisoners , as shelling engulfed the city .

The 24 U.N. monitors in Aleppo have been temporarily pulled out of the city because of the `` deteriorating security situation , '' a spokeswoman for the U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria said .

Deaths mounted in other regions , including 33 in Damascus and its suburbs , 35 in Homs , and 25 in Daraa , the LCC said . The group reported warplane shelling and clashes . In one incident in the Damascus suburbs , a muezzin , the mosque official who proclaims the call to prayer , was killed when regime forces stormed , vandalized and burned a mosque , according to the LCC .

As the violence spirals , France is proposing a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council to be held on August 30 , Western diplomats said Tuesday . Past attempts by the council to adopt tough resolutions against the regime , including more widespread sanctions , have been blocked by Russia and China .

Roughly 17,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began , U.N. Secretary-General Ban said last month . The opposition has put the toll at more than 20,000 .

Complete coverage : Unrest in Syria

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At least 170 people were killed in Syria Tuesday , an opposition group says

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Former Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab arrives in Jordan , says a source

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U.S. secretary of state says `` proxies '' and terror wo n't be tolerated

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Fighting rages in Aleppo and in Damascus and its suburbs